Christmas Day 2009

Abraham's shunt is not functioning properly so he might need a new shunt surgically placed. He has a CT scan on New Years Eve and sees neurosurgery. His last CT scan last week did not look very good however he clinically looks great. He is breastfeeding/bottle feeding, eating solids including many different types of food. His diaper rash is clearing up however we are still using dispoable diapers since the diaper cream effects how well the cloth diapers absorb. For Christmas he got some toys, clothes and musical stocking (from Grandma), a musical toy. Mommy got a jogging stroller however his OT is not sure it will work well for him. He slumps over in it. We also got an ice cream maker for our Kitchen Aid mixer. We plan to eat more natural healthy foods. If we make our own ice cream we know what is in it. Also I am learning how to make my own baby food. I figured that I would just post the Christmas letter here:
Dear Friends and Family,

Wow what a year. A few words to describe: major changes and a test of faith. However we all pulled through it thanks to God?s faithfulness plus the love and support of those around us, both near and far.

In January we moved from San Diego back to Washington. We are so thankful for the friends that made the trip with us. Only 12 days after moving Karen went into premature labor at 26 weeks gestation. Within two hours of arriving at the Naval Hospital she was told that it was too late to stop the labor and that she was too unstable for transport to Madigan (hospital with NICU). After he was delivered a true knot was found in his umbilical cord, which would have caused him to be stillborn. Thankfully Karen recovered quickly from the c-section. Abraham Robert Goddard was born at on 2/2/09, weighing 2.2 pounds and 15 inches long. With his life hanging by a thread he was flown by helicopter to Madigan NICU. His original due date was May 5, 2009. So he is truly as miracle baby.

Abraham had a complicated NICU experience. Karen finally got to hold him for the first time 14 days after he was born. Despite having many chronic conditions, including cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, vision problems and chronic lung disease (all result of premature birth) he can drink milk, eat solids orally, say momma/dada, smile, and laugh and is working on rolling and vision. We are hoping that he can wean from the oxygen and monitor. His VP shunt is not functioning properly so he may have to start 2010 with another surgery.

Glenn returned to work in March. He is on a submarine tender. He spends his free time, remolding the house, Men?s Bible studies and playing WII. He will be going to Mississippi for school in February 2010. Then he will return for a short time before he deploys to Diego Garcia.

Karen made the transition from working as an RN to a stay at home mother of a premature baby. She spends her time taking Abraham to medical appointments, attending Bible studies, lactation collation teas and walking with friends. She is looking forward to respite care so she can unpack the house the scrapbook again. Also she plans to do more with her Mary Kay business and improve her homemaking skills.

We are planning for 2010 to be uneventful other than reports of Abraham developing skills beyond what was expected of him.

In Christ Love,

Glenn, Karen and Abraham

Quick post

Abe has been home for a little over a week. Happy, smiling and eating some solids again. He gained a pound while he was sick and it getting NG tube feeds for 3 and 6 AM. Occasionally midnight too however he is usually awake any time between 12:30 and 2:00AM. He some times does oral feeds for 3AM however he is usually snoring at this time. Mommy is awake because her alarm goes off every 3 hours to feed baby. His diaper rash got worse, most likely progressed to a yeast type diaper rash. His doctor called in triple diaper mix and it took a couple of days but his bum is still on the mend. Hopefully he won't need formula or antibiotics again. These both contributed to the diarrhea and skin break down and diaper rash. We are using some of the frozen milk since he requires 32 oz daily. Hopefully my supply will increase however it is tiresome to keep pumping. It's been 10 and 1/2 month. He sometimes even eats more too. Plus he is eating avocado, whole milk yogurt (healthy bacteria to help with the yeast diaper rash), pears and rice cereal. His VP shunt had to be reset last week, draining too quickly again. Plus CT scan showed CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) in areas where you typically would not see it. He sees neurosurgery again on the 17th. If the body has not reabsorbed the fluid then he might need surgical intervention. I really don't want his head to surgically tapped into again however it might be necessary. Given his age and risk factors I doubt it would be an outpatient procedure therefore he would be admitted again. Please pray that he stays healthy, that Glenn and I stay healthy and that his VP shunt works properly so that he does not require more surgery. Glenn will be leaving in February for school so please also pray that we get more done at our home before he leaves. We had some issues with both vehicles There is NICU Christmas party at Madigan (Army Hospital where he was air lifted to) this weekend. We are looking forward to seeing the nurses, doctors, ect that took care of him when he was so fragile and ill. He is a 16 pounder now so not a fragile.